The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has recently submitted its national aviation sustainability plans to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as the country targets to be carbon neutral by 2035.

The action plan introduces eight main directions of promotion, including policy, the application of new technology, the utilisation of clean energy and the promotion of green management. 

"The [CAAC] submitted [on September 23] its '2022 China's Green Development Policy and Action' to ICAO recently, introducing China's national aviation green action progress and outlining future prospects, business development direction and action," it said.

Under the report, CAAC noted that as of 2019, China's transport fleet fuel efficiency was 0.285kg per ton kilometre and airport energy consumption declined 15.8%. Carbon emissions per passenger also declined by 43.2%, compared to the period 2013 to 2015.

In 2021, CAAC said fuel consumption per ton kilometre will be 0.309kg; total carbon emissions will reduce by 400 million tons compared to 2000; airport energy consumption per passenger will increase by 2.3% compared to the average value between 2013 and 2015, and carbon emissions per passenger will decline by 22.1%.

2025 targets outlined

Meanwhile, by 2025, China — through the CAAC — seeks a fuel consumption per ton kilometre of 0.293kg; carbon emission per ton kilometre of 0.886kg; and cumulative consumption of sustainable aviation fuel of 50,000 tons over five years.

CAAC said the country targets to achieve carbon neutrality in aviation transport by 2035.